March Hit Hard by COVID-19, Highest Number of Mask Purchases

Prosecutors Investigate Approximately 400 Cases Related to COVID-19

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] In March, when the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) struck the entire country, nearly 400 COVID-19-related cases were reported to the prosecution.

On the 31st, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office cumulatively tallied 'COVID-19-related cases' managed by local prosecutors nationwide from March 4 to 30, confirming that the prosecution is investigating or has already indicted a total of 373 cases. If cases received on the last day of March are added, the total number of cases may exceed 400. Compared to the 113 cases tallied on the 4th, when the count began, this is more than three times the number.

By issue, 'mask fraud' cases, involving embezzlement of mask payments, were the most numerous. There were 174 cases, accounting for nearly half (46.6%) of all cases. Among these, 33 cases have been brought to trial and are undergoing legal judgment.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the 'mask crisis' as the biggest problem, it is analyzed that most cases handled by the prosecution were concentrated on mask-related incidents. The legal community also believes that the prosecution's establishment of a separate 'mask task force' and its particular focus on responding to mask-related crimes influenced this. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office formed a 'Task Force for Disruptors of Distribution of Masks and Other Health Supplies' on the 1st, led by Jeon Jun-cheol, head of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2, and has been conducting investigations. On the 23rd, they also conducted a search and seizure at mask company A located in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

In addition, the prosecution is investigating or has indicted 60 cases of obstruction of business such as spreading false information (19 indicted), 29 cases of violations of the Personal Information Protection Act and official secrets leakage (4 indicted), 9 cases including false reports of confirmed patients, false statements in epidemiological investigations, and refusal of quarantine (3 indicted), 54 cases of hoarding health supplies (1 indicted), and 47 cases of violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and Customs Act (3 indicted).

Meanwhile, the prosecution continues to maintain the 'response guidelines' established internally after the COVID-19 outbreak. These include minimizing summons investigations except for important cases and refraining from events involving many participants. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office reportedly upgraded the COVID-19 response task force to a response headquarters on the 6th and is closely monitoring the situation with health authorities. Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is serving as the head of the response headquarters and receives daily reports on related matters.